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10 pubs to visit this winter in Suffolk

As the season changes and Mother Nature paints the countryside with her autumnal palette of colours, it's a lovely time of year for a brisk walk to enjoy the crisp air and changing landscape. Better still, to work up an appetite for a visit to a cosy pub for lunch, which must surely follow!

The perfect winter pub should serve Suffolk ales, locally-sourced food and preferably have an open fire or woodburning stove to add warmth and help thaw out chilly toes and fingers.

We have searched the county to bring you ten of the best that meet our criteria for maximum autumn cosiness.

1. The Six Bells, Preston St Mary

This country pub, three miles from medieval Lavenham, ticks all the boxes for cosiness, atmosphere and good food. The fire crackles, the staff are friendly and the seasonal menu changes almost daily, according to whatever produce is available locally. A Six Bells ale is brewed especially for the pub and is on offer alongside local bitters and other beers.

2. The Butt and Oyster, Pin Mill

on the Shotley Peninsula is the perfect place to warm up after a waterside amble. It's known for its great beer, great food and great river views.

3. The Ship at Dunwich

Wrap up warm and take an invigorating walk along Dunwich beach, then head to The Ship at Dunwich for a meal of Blythburgh pork, freshly caught fish or Suffolk Shipcord cheese tart. The pub is cosy with its roaring fire and is dog-friendly too. As it says on their website: “Muddy paws are welcome at The Ship!”

4. The Angel Inn, Stoke By Nayland

Heavily beamed, the Angel Inn sits in the Dedham Vale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Arguably some of Suffolk's prettiest countryside, this spot is perfect for a long winter walk to work up the required appetite for lunch. The pub is cosy and comfortable, offering locally sourced and well-prepared food.

6. The Kings Head, Laxfield

Traditional and charming, with a beautiful thatched roof, the King's Head has retained lots of its original features and has a traditional tap room in place of a bar. If you order a beer, it gets tapped directly from the barrel. Take a walk in this rural area of Suffolk and then enjoy a leisurely lunch.

7. The Peacock Inn, Chelsworth

Nestled in one of Suffolk's most quintessentially English villages, this 14th century, half-timbered inn offers a fine range of local ales, and a seasonal menu (also a seasonal game menu). There are plenty of walks in the surrounding countryside and if you can, make sure you sit in the front room on chilly days, in front of the roaring fire.

8. The Old Cannon, Bury St Edmunds

Take a walk around Nowton Park on the outskirts of Bury St Edmunds and then head into town, to The Old Cannon Brewery in Cannon Street. As the name suggests, they brew their own beer (twice a week), using East Anglian grown and malted barley and English hops. Their kitchen has a growing reputation of serving food that is the ‘bounty of the county’ and their 'Cannon Fodder' menu changes with the seasons.

9. The Red Lion, Kirtling near Newmarket

Winners of a Good Food Award in 2016, the Red Lion has a wide range of local beers, and is a dog-friendly pub just a few miles from Newmarket, home of horseracing. Guests are encouraged to linger in front of the woodburning stove and can choose from a range of books and games with which to while away an hour or two.

10 The Blue Boar, Walsham-le-Willows

This ancient pub first started serving ale in 1360 and today works with local micro-breweries to offer a range of interesting beers and ciders. Their meat comes from the local, award-winning butcher, their bread from a 16th century bakehouse nearby and their menu changes regularly, according to the season.

Where to stay?

Need to lay your weary head after all that leisurely liquid intake? Suffolk Hideaways provides the perfect place to rest your head. From a weekend bolthole, to larger properties for friends and families alike, all are located ideally for exploring Suffolk for a range of activities such as sailing, birdwatching, cycling or walking.

KNOW SOMETHING WE DON'T?

We know there are plenty of other cosy pubs in Suffolk with great food and local ales. Let us know which are your favourites via Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.